Kidnapping (manstealing)
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Kidnapping (manstealing) in the Bible?
The crime of manstealing, or kidnapping for enslavement, is explicitly prohibited in Hebrew law and carries the penalty of death. This prohibition appears in the Old Testament legal corpus and is referenced in the New Testament epistles.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this prohibition clarifies the biblical stance on human rights and the sanctity of personal liberty, distinguishing Israelite law from surrounding cultures that normalized slavery through capture.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Kidnapping (manstealing). Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Kidnapping (manstealing) in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Kidnapping (manstealing) clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Kidnapping (manstealing)." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/kidnapping-manstealing/